Instructions

Fill a large bowl with warm water.
Water should be warm to the touch but not hot.

Immerse the strainer bag containing the kava root powder into the bowl of warm water.
Squeeze the strainer bag of kava powder vigorously in the water for approximately 5-10 minutes.

Squeeze as much liquid from the Wakacon strainer bag as possible.
Discard the used kava powder.

Pour and enjoy.
A typical serving is 6-8 ounces and is traditionally chugged as opposed to sipped.

Kava Info

What is Kava?

Kava, also known as Kava-Kava (Tonga), Ava (Samoa), ‘Awa (Hawaii), and several other names is plant grown in the Pacific Islands. The root of the plant is harvested and used to make a drink, which has been shown to have a variety of both medicinally and psychologically beneficial properties.

What is the History of Kava?

Kava is believed to have been used for over 3,000 years in the Pacific Island. While it has been primarily used both medicinally and ceremonially, many islanders also use it for recreational purposes as well. After Kava was first introduced to Europeans they gave it the name Piper (from the Latin “Pepper”) Methysticum (from the Latinized Greek “Intoxicating”). Currently, Kava is being farmed and then distributed all over the world.

Is there a difference between the Lewena (Heart Root) and Waka (Lateral Root)?

YES! Think of a beet or a turnip plant. The Lewena or Heart Root is like the beet bulb or stump that sits under the ground. On the other hand, the Waka or Lateral Root, work are more like a web of smaller roots that extend out from the Lewena, also under the ground. It is interesting to note that Fiji is the only place that will use these parts individually. In other places like Hawaii and Tonga, these two are typically combined or processed and consumed together as one.

Here are just a couple more interesting tidbits of information about this amazing plant:

The Lewena (Heart Root) typically contains less Kavalactone…

What is Kavalactone?

I’m glad you asked! I could throw a whole bunch of science at you with words like Cyclic Chemical Compounds and Hydroxycarboxylic Acids, but all this really means is that Kavalactones belong to a class of Lactones that have been shown to have a wide variety of really cool uses including but not limited to:

Pain Management

Antianxiety

Brain Boosting

Anti-seizure

Mild Sedation

And many more!

Now back to the “Heart” of the matter!

The Lewena (Heart Root) typically contains less Kavalactone and tends to have a more mild or subdued flavor than the Waka (Lateral Root). It also tends to appear lighter in color. Conversely, the Waka (Lateral Root) tends to have a higher level of Kavalactone, be darker in appearance, and have a more intense or bitter flavor.

While there are those who process and consume each of these parts individually, we have found that combining the two lends itself to an overall more enjoyable flavor and experience.

What are the Medicinal Benefits of Kava?

While there are many medicinal benefits of Kava, the mostly widely acknowledged is its calming or sedating properties. For this reason, Kava can be an excellent choice for those who struggle with sleep issues. Unlike other sleep aids, Kava has not been shown to interfere with the coveted REM cycle that is critical for feeling rested even after a full night of sleep. Another benefit of Kava over other sleep aids is that it doesn’t impair your mental alertness. Essentially, Kava doesn’t give you that “Zombie” effect, it just relaxes you in the best ways possible.

Kava has also been shown to work well with people who suffer from depression. For those who prefer a more natural approach to anxiety treatment, Kava can be a great alternative to prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants.

Along with its relaxation and sedation properties, Kava has also been used with success to for the treatment of seizures, muscle tension, and pain management.

It is important to remember, as with all treatments that Kava is not a one size fits all experience. EveryBODY is different, and because of this, nobody can guarantee exactly what kind of Kava experience YOU will have. Although Kava has been used for thousands of years, there is limited amount of clinical data and trials. In general, Kava should be treated like any other medical aid, and should not be mixed with other prescription drugs and/or alcohol. Ask you doctor before taking kava if you are on any medications that might interfere.

Is Kava Safe?

This is a question that gets asked A LOT, and with good reason. There is a lot of misinformation and flat out propaganda and lies our there about Kava. For this reason, it makes sense that some people might be hesitant to try Kava, especially when they don’t have a whole lot of knowledge, or have been given incorrect information on the product. In these sorts of situations, educating yourself on the subject is going to be the best way to decide whether Kava is right for you. We have provided you with an overview of our amazing product here, but we would also invite you to do your own research as well. There are many blogs, websites, documentaries, and more on the history and the uses of Kava.

Like we’ve said before, Kava has been used for literally thousands of years by the people of the Pacific, and for many years by people all over the world. So is Kava safe? The short answer is YES! Kava, when used properly and as directed is a safe. Beyond that, the fact that Kava is all natural means that it does not carry the same sort of risks that you often find with synthetic drugs, be they prescription or even over the counter.

How am I going to feel?

EveryBODY is different, so it is impossible to say what your individual Kava experience is going to like. That being said, enough people have used Kava that we can give you a GENERAL idea as to what to expect.

When it comes to a Kava experience, it helps to think of it in terms of levels or layers. Your experience also depends on the kind of Kava you are drinking. For many people, drinking just a little gives them a heightened state of mental clarity, and might even make you feel more energetic. The more you drink, the more you will likely experience the calming and relaxing sensations, while still retaining the mental clarity.

One of the amazing properties of Kava is that unlike substances that are either “uppers” or “downers”, Kava has the unique ability to give you the relaxation you are after without feeling like you can’t function, think, or perform your day to day activities. Of course, as with all things, it is possible to overdo it, but typically speaking, you know when you have reached your happy place and it’s time to stop taking more in.

I tried Kava ONCE and it didn’t work for me. What’s up with that?

You are not alone; this is a fairly typical response for some who are trying Kava for the first time.

Let’s talk about a little something called “Reverse Tolerance” for a moment. This refers to people which may have to take Kava several times before their bodies recognize it and give them the desired results. The good news is that the VAST majority of people who “stick with it” do eventually see the same kind of results that others might experience their first time out the gate. The even better news is that once you achieve you desired results, many people find that it takes less and less Kava to get back to that “happy place” as we so lovingly refer to it.

Moral of the story? If you tried it ONCE or even twice, or three times, don’t give up. Chances are you’ve just got a bit of “Reverse Tolerance” going on and your body just needs a little bit of time to build up to the awesome results we know are totally possible!